. The Social Security Administration's requirements allowing transgender citizens to change their sex " gender" designation needs to modernize with the times. As with the DMV in several states and the US Passport, a letter from a licensed psychologist or MD should be sufficient.
Why is this important?
As a transgender woman on SSDI/SSI and receiving Medicare, I am often denied the medical care I need as the woman I now am. That and in many states, I cannot get/ keep my current female designation on my driver's license; all because the SSA will NOT change my birth sex designation unless I show proof of sexual reassignment surgery. Several states, including Indiana and Ohio, now require just a letter from a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or MD to do so on a transgender individual's driver's license. Same with the US Passport. Rather than require proof of sexual reassignment surgery as they currently do at the SSA ; a letter verifying the individual is living " full time" in their chosen gender from a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or MD should be sufficient.
